Over 24 months since October 7, 2023, Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY-18) has voted for $26+ billion in weapons to Israel, censured the only Palestinian-American congresswoman, voted to protect Netanyahu from war crimes prosecution, and refused to co-sponsor any of 15+ bills providing Palestinian relief — even celebrating Israel's 77th birthday on day 570+ of mass killing.
Context
Following decades of Israeli occupation and 17 years of Gaza blockade, Israel launched its most devastating assault on Gaza after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack. Over the subsequent 24 months, Rep. Pat Ryan maintained an unbroken record of enabling what every major human rights organization has concluded is genocide — while systematically blocking every legislative attempt to provide Palestinian relief, protect civilian lives, or enforce accountability for war crimes.
Ryan has received $279,274 from AIPAC and pro-Israel lobby groups according to OpenSecrets data, making AIPAC his single largest organizational contributor.
October 2023: The Pattern Begins
October 8: "Blatant Antisemitism"
Within 24 hours of the October 7 attacks, Ryan posted to social media: "To know all this, and choose to hold a protest in New York City, home to the largest Jewish population in the United States, is blatant antisemitism."
This statement — characterizing all pro-Palestinian demonstrations as inherently antisemitic regardless of their demands — set the tone for Ryan's entire two-year record.
October 25: First Pro-Israel Vote
Just four days after the attacks, Ryan voted YES on H.Res.771 ("Standing with Israel") and became an original co-sponsor. The resolution passed 412-10.
October 25: First Constituent Protests
The same day, 150+ constituents demonstrated outside Ryan's Poughkeepsie office demanding he co-sponsor Rep. Cori Bush's H.Res.786 ceasefire resolution. Ryan did not meet with protesters and never co-sponsored the ceasefire resolution.
November 2023: Censure and Confrontation
November 7: Censure of Rashida Tlaib
Ryan voted YES on H.Res.845 to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), becoming one of only 22 Democrats to break ranks in a 234-188 decision.
November 9: Largest Protest
Hundreds demonstrated outside Ryan's Kingston office. Ryan gave his first extensive interview to the Albany Times Union: "How could you turn on your TV every night and see what's happening on the ground, and not, as a human being, want it to stop?" He noted 10,000 Palestinians killed including 4,100 children but continued opposing immediate ceasefire.
November 28: Israel's Right to Exist
Ryan voted YES on H.Res.888 in a near-unanimous 412-1 vote. Notably, he later declined to co-sponsor parallel resolutions affirming Palestinian statehood.
December 2023: Office Graffiti and "Peace Plan"
Messages reading "CEASEFIRE NOW" and "WAR CRIMINAL" were spray-painted on Ryan's district office windows.
December 1: House Floor Speech
Ryan delivered an emotional House floor speech honoring constituents affected by October 7: "Judih and Gadi are not combatants or soldiers, but a school teacher and a musician... We are here for you."
Rep. Ryan delivers House floor speech honoring constituents affected by October 7, December 1, 2023. Photo: C-SPAN
December 23: Seven-Point Plan
Ryan released "My Call for Lasting Peace" with seven conditions for peace. Notably absent: any use of the word "ceasefire."
January 2024: Confrontations Escalate
Constituents interrupted multiple events. At a Gardiner town hall, one asked: "How many Palestinians have to die before you support a ceasefire?" At his Kingston office, protesters hung banners reading "Pat Ryan, Stop the Genocide."
Protestors outside of the Kingston chamber breakfast, January 24, 2024. Photo: Tania Barricklo/Daily Freeman
February 2024: First "Ceasefire" Mention
On February 23, four months into the assault, Ryan finally called for ceasefire — but qualified: "The Rafah invasion cannot proceed. I'm calling for a mutual, temporary ceasefire to both secure the return of hostages and to send a massive surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza."
The qualifying terms — mutual, temporary, and conditional on hostage return — distinguished his position from the immediate, permanent, unconditional ceasefire demanded by progressives.
April 2024: $26.38 Billion in Weapons
April 20: Israel Security Supplemental
Ryan voted YES on H.R.8034, providing $26.38 billion in military aid to Israel, including $4.4 billion for Iron Dome, $4 billion for David's Sling/Iron Beam, $3.3 billion for U.S. military operations, and $9.2 billion in humanitarian assistance. The bill passed 366-58 and became Public Law 118-50.
After the vote, over 100 protesters from Jewish Voice for Peace and Hudson Valley for a Free Palestine demonstrated outside his Kingston office.
Gaza destruction from weapons Ryan voted to send. Photo: UNRWA / CC BY-SA 4.0
October 2024: Election
When AOC appeared with Ryan at SUNY New Paltz, students challenged her claim that Ryan "doesn't take money from corporate lobbyists" by shouting "He took $174,000 from AIPAC!"
Ryan won re-election on November 5 despite 18 months of progressive protests and the "No Votes for Genocide" pledge campaign claiming 1,250 voters.
January 2025: Protecting Netanyahu from War Crimes Prosecution
January 9: ICC Sanctions Vote
Ryan voted YES on H.R.23, the "Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act," to sanction ICC officials investigating Netanyahu and Gallant. He became one of 45 Democrats voting YES.
January 2025: Refuses 8 Joint Resolutions
Ryan declined to co-sponsor any of eight Joint Resolutions that would have blocked $12 billion in weapons provided to Israel by the Trump administration.
April 2025: AIPAC Birthday Video
On day 570+ of the assault, Ryan recorded a video for AIPAC celebrating Israel's 77th birthday: "It's so important that we celebrate and value and double down on our alliance with Israel."
Ryan's AIPAC birthday message, April 30, 2025. Source: AIPAC YouTube
2025: The Refusals Continue
Despite 50+ Democratic colleagues co-sponsoring HR 3565, Ryan has refused to sign on. He has also declined to co-sponsor:
- H.Res.473: Demanding humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza
- H.R.2411: Restoring UNRWA funding for 5.9 million Palestinian refugees
- H.Res.409: Recognizing the Nakba
- H.Res.769: Affirming Palestinian statehood
When Rep. Ro Khanna circulated a letter calling for Palestinian statehood recognition signed by 47 House Democrats, Ryan refused.
The Human Cost
- Over 70,000 Palestinians killed (estimates suggest actual toll far higher)
- 80%+ civilian casualty rate
- 166,000+ Palestinians injured
- 9,200+ children lost limbs — largest cohort of child amputees in modern history (UN)
- 94% of hospitals damaged/destroyed (WHO)
- 886+ healthcare workers killed (WHO)
Two Years in Numbers
- $26.38+ billion in military aid packages Ryan voted to send Israel
- 15+ refusals to co-sponsor humanitarian aid, weapons restrictions, or Palestinian rights legislation
- $279,274 received from AIPAC and pro-Israel lobby groups (2022-2024)
- 70,000+ Palestinians killed with weapons Ryan voted to send
- One of 22 Democrats to vote censuring Rep. Rashida Tlaib
- Zero actions to restrict weapons, provide relief, or enforce accountability